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INTRODUCTION: Since the beginning of the HIV epidemic in Ceará, disseminated histoplasmosis (DH) has often been detected among AIDS patients. METHODS: In order to investigate the clinical and laboratory characteristics, evolution and survival of cases of DH/AIDS coinfection, the medical records on 134 cases of DH admitted to a reference hospital in Ceará between 1999 and 2005 were analyzed. RESULTS: Patients with DH presented higher frequency of daily fever, coughing, weight loss, enlarged liver and spleen and acute kidney failure. The diagnosis was made using investigation and/or cultures. At admission, the following were risk factors for death among DH patients: vomiting, dyspnea, respiratory failure, acute kidney failure, hemoglobin < or = 8g/l, urea > or = 40mg/dl and creatinine > or = 1.5 mg/dl. CONCLUSIONS: Patients with DH characteristically presented higher fever, previous hospitalization due to respiratory infection and more clinical complications. Significant anemia and elevated urea were independent risk factors for death among DH patients.

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INTRODUÇÃO: Desde o início da epidemia de HIV no Ceará, histoplasmose disseminada tem sido detectada com frequência em pacientes com aids. MÉTODOS: De modo a conhecer características clínico-laboratoriais, evolução e sobrevida da co-infecção HD/AIDS, analisou-se retrospectivamente 134 prontuários casos de HD internados de 1999 a 2005 no hospital referência para HIV no Ceará. RESULTADOS: Pacientes com HD apresentaram maior frequência de febre diária, tosse, perda de peso, hepatoesplenomegalia e insuficiência renal aguda. Diagnóstico foi dado por pesquisa e/ou cultura. À admissão, foram fatores de risco relacionados ao óbito de pacientes com HD: vômitos, dispnéia, insuficiência respiratória e IRA, hemoglobina<8g/L, uréia>40mg/dL e creatinina >1,5mg/dL. CONCLUSÕES: pacientes com HD apresentaram caracteristicamente febre mais elevada, internamentos anteriores por infecção respiratória, mais complicações clínicas e como fatores independentes para óbito, anemia importante e elevação de uréia.

INTRODUCTION: Since the beginning of the HIV epidemic in Ceará, disseminated histoplasmosis (DH) has often been detected among AIDS patients. METHODS: In order to investigate the clinical and laboratory characteristics, evolution and survival of cases of DH/AIDS coinfection, the medical records on 134 cases of DH admitted to a reference hospital in Ceará between 1999 and 2005 were analyzed. RESULTS: Patients with DH presented higher frequency of daily fever, coughing, weight loss, enlarged liver and spleen and acute kidney failure. The diagnosis was made using investigation and/or cultures. At admission, the following were risk factors for death among DH patients: vomiting, dyspnea, respiratory failure, acute kidney failure, hemoglobin < 8g/l, urea > 40mg/dl and creatinine >1.5 mg/dl. CONCLUSIONS: Patients with DH characteristically presented higher fever, previous hospitalization due to respiratory infection and more clinical complications. Significant anemia and elevated urea were independent risk factors for death among DH patients.

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BACKGROUND: Copaíba oil is an oleoresin obtained from the Copaiffera langsdorffii genus (Leguminoseae). It is widely used in folk medicine as an antiinflammatory, healing, and antiseptic agent. Comparative pharmacologic studies between different species of copaíba oils are scarce. METHODS: The protective effect of Copaiffera langsdorffii was evaluated on an experimental model of random skin flaps on rat dorsums. RESULTS: Seventy-two Wistar rats (average weight = 216.8 g) were divided randomly into four equal groups (saline control, vehicle control, GT200-Test 1, and GT400-Test 2). A caudally based rectangular flap, 2.5-8.0 cm in size, was elevated on the back of the rat using McFarlane's method. The flap was sutured back into its original place. Copaifera and control drugs (saline and Tween 80) were administered by gavage 24, 12, and 2 h prior to the beginning of the experiment followed by daily doses for the next 7 days. To observe the effects of Copaifera, laboratory analyses included plasma and tissue levels of tiobarbituric acid-reactive substances (TBARS) and reduced glutathione (GSH) and tissue levels of myeloperoxidase (MPO). CONCLUSION: The oil-resin of copaíba presents discrete antilipoperoxidation action, intense antioxidant action, and antiinflammatory activity during the ischemia and reperfusion of randomized cutaneous flaps. The effects of ischemia-reperfusion are complex and substances capable of increasing the tolerance of tissue to those effects by reducing the production or neutralizing the action of free radicals are needed.

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Capillary thyroid carcinoma (PTC) is the most common neoplasm of thyroid. It usually grows slowly and is clinically indolent, although rare, its aggressive forms with local invasion or distant metastases can occur. Metastatic thyroid carcinoma rarely involves the orbit. We reported an uncommon case of orbital metastasis of PTC. A 66-years-old woman presented proptosis of the right eye. The biopsy of the tumor in orbit revealed metastatic thyroid carcinoma. The ultrasensitive TSH level was 1,34 mUI/L and free T4 level was 1,65 ng/dL. A total thyroidectomy was performed and histopathological analysis of the nodule revealed follicular variant of papillary thyroid carcinoma. Currently, the patient has been receiving palliative chemotherapy with Clodronate Disodium. The importance of the case is due to its unusual presentation, which emerged as a primary clinical manifestation. Although rare, thyroid carcinoma should be suspected in orbit metastasis.

Carcinoma papilífero da tiróide (PTC) é a neoplasia mais comum da tiróide. Geralmente cresce lentamente e é clinicamente indolente, embora raras, as formas agressivas com invasão local ou metástases distantes podem ocorrer. Carcinoma metastático da tiróide raramente envolve a órbita. Relatamos um caso raro de metástase orbital de PTC. Uma mulher de 66 anos apresentou proptose no olho direito. A biópsia do tumor em órbita revelou carcinoma metastático da tiróide. O nível ultra-sensível do TSH foi de 1,34 mUI/L e T4 livre foi de 1,65 ng/dL. A tireoidectomia total foi realizada e a análise histopatológica do nódulo revelou carcinoma papilífero variante folicular da tiróide. Atualmente, a paciente recebe quimioterapia paliativa com clodronato dissódico. A importância do caso é devido à sua apresentação incomum que surgiu como principal manifestação clínica. Embora raro, o carcinoma da tiróide deve ser pensado em metástase orbitária.

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Capillary thyroid carcinoma (PTC) is the most common neoplasm of thyroid. It usually grows slowly and is clinically indolent; although rare, its aggressive forms with local invasion or distant metastases can occur. Metastatic thyroid carcinoma rarely involves the orbit. We reported an uncommon case of orbital metastasis of PTC. A 66-years-old woman presented proptosis of the right eye. The biopsy of the tumor in orbit revealed metastatic thyroid carcinoma. The ultrasensitive TSH level was 1,34 mUI/L and free T4 level was 1,65 ng/dL. A total thyroidectomy was performed and histopathological analysis of the nodule revealed follicular variant of papillary thyroid carcinoma. Currently, the patient has been receiving palliative chemotherapy with Clodronate Disodium. The importance of the case is due to its unusual presentation, which emerged as a primary clinical manifestation. Although rare, thyroid carcinoma should be suspected in orbit metastasis.

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